Just like switching out your dryer tube and changing your fridge's water filter, there are just some home maintenance things that constantly get put on the back burner. Pulling everything out of the garage to finally attack the unreasonably dirty floor is just another one to add to the list. Yet, if you know how to clean your garage floors, then you'll know that it's actually not as involved or complicated as you might think.
How to Clean Garage Floors
Most people who buy a new home find that their garage floor is made from concrete. While there are multiple ways you can modify it, regular 'ole concrete is still the way to go for so many. Because it can get incredibly dirty, it's important to know just how to clean your concrete garage floors, and Ace Hardware has a perfect routine for you to try.
Materials
- Push broom
- Degreaser cleaner
- Bucket
- Warm water
- Mop
Instructions
- Clear out your garage floor of any clutter or storage.
- Sweep the floor using a push broom.
- Fill a bucket with warm water and bring it into the garage.
- Dump some degreaser cleaner onto your concrete floor, wet a mop in the warm water, and start cleaning.
- Using a hose, rinse off the sudsy water (spray toward the open garage door).
- Let the floor air dry.
You can also use this process to clean floors coated in epoxy.
How to Clean Garage Floor Tiles
If you're not a big fan of your regular garage floor, you can put in impermanent interlocking floor tiles to protect what's underneath and give your floor a little spring. Yet, the tiles need to be cleaned a little differently than your standard garage floors.
Materials
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Hot water
- Plastic bucket
- Household floor cleaner
- Mop
Instructions
- Sweep the tiles of any excess dirt and debris.
- Wet (and ring out) a mop in the soap solution.
- Using the damp mop, begin mopping the tiles.
- Refill the bucket with new solution and repeat the process if you need a deep clean.
- Let your floors air dry.
Because the tiles have miniscule holes between their connection points, some of the soapy solution might make its way underneath. To ensure the least amount travels between the tiles, make sure you keep your mop damp, not wet, when using it.
How to Spot Clean Garage Floors
Inevitably, you've got a few stubborn dark spots on your garage floor that your family has just accepted as one of the house's ambiguous stains. Taking some dish soap to them usually doesn't do the trick to clean up these grease or oil stains. Instead, you'll need to spot clean a little differently.
Materials
- Bucket with warm water
- Scrubber brush
- Degreaser cleaner
- Push broom
Instructions
- Sweep off the spot to make sure there's no extra debris.
- Wet the stain with warm water.
- Pour the degreaser cleaner directly on the spot.
- Using a handheld scrubber brush, work the cleaner into the spot.
- Rinse and repeat the process until the stain starts to pull out.
To prevent oil or fluid stains from sticking, catch them right as they happen. If you don't have time to clean it up right away, pour some cat litter on it and let it dry before sweeping it up.
How to Clean Rust Stains on Your Garage Floor
Since garages are often our mechanical catch-all storage units, the floors can get rust stains. But you're not cursed forever to a rusty floor. Instead, there are a few things you can do to improve those reddish-brown spots.
Materials
- Distilled white vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Scrubber brush
- Warm water
Instructions
- Pour lemon juice or distilled white vinegar directly onto the stain. Let sit for about five minutes.
- Rinse off with warm water and apply the acid-base liquid again.
- Use a stiff scrubber brush and work out the stain.
- Rinse and repeat until the stain comes out.
Ways to Prevent Your Garage Floor From Getting Dirty
The easiest way to clean your garage floors is to keep them from getting dirty. Everyone's methods are different for making a tidy space. There are a few options you can choose so that you spend less time on cleaning up your messes.
- Put in floor mats or interlocking tile to protect the actual floor underneath from stains and spills.
- Regularly reorganize the furniture in your garage. Got shelves? Make sure to move them around every year so that they're not just sitting in the same place.
- Sweep every week to keep the dust and debris buildup to a minimum.
- Clean up any spills right away. If you let it sit, it's probably going to stick.
- Don't store household hazardous waste products unless you're going to use them. These can leak and spill, causing more stains.
- Powerwash your garage floors every few years. This will cut down on how much deep cleaning you have to do.
Don't Ignore Your Garage Floors
Garages are liminal spaces, not quite inside and not quite outside. But that doesn't mean you need to forget about them. Stop ignoring your dirty garage floors and learn how to clean them and keep them clean.
